Episodes
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Phyllis Hunter: Reading Is a Civil Right
April 1st, 2016 | 26 mins 1 sec
Literacy expert Phyllis C. Hunter joins us to talk about what inspires her (Jennifer Hudson, passionate teachers, and the musical Hamilton), and to share advice on how to help children become avid readers.
Guests:
- Phyllis C. Hunter is an internationally renowned and beloved literacy expert who has served as an adviser to both the President of the United States and the Secretary of Education. She has worked as a district reading manager, principal, and speech and language therapist. In 2009, Hunter was named the Marcus Garvey Educator of the Year by the National Alliance of Black Educators and received the Scholastic Education Heroes Award for her contributions to the field of children’s literacy. In addition to having created the Phyllis C. Hunter Classroom Libraries, Hunter is the author of It’s Not Complicated! What I Know For Sure About Helping Our Students of Color Become Successful Readers.
Additional Resources:
- Do you have questions on how to reach disengaged students? Or, how to face the challenges of the achievement gap? Ask Phyllis anything!
- Learn more about the Phyllis C. Hunter Classroom Libraries here.
Special thanks:
- Music composed by Lucas Elliot Eberl
- Sound mix and editing by Daniel Jordan
- Produced by Megan Kaesshaefer
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Kate Beaton: A Princess, a Pony, and Punchlines
March 18th, 2016 | 31 mins 14 secs
Just in time for Women’s History Month, Kate Beaton joins us to talk about her bestselling picture book, The Princess and the Pony, writing female characters, and her work on the wildly popular Hark! A Vagrant comic strip. Editors Cheryl Klein and Emily Clement also join us to talk about how they first discovered Kate’s work and to share some of their favorite female characters in literature.
Guests:
- Kate Beaton (Hark! A Vagrant, Step Aside, Pops, The Princess and the Pony, King Baby)
- Cheryl Klein: Executive Editor, Arthur A. Levine Books
- Emily Clement: Editor, Arthur A. Levine Books
Special thanks:
- Music composed by Lucas Elliot Eberl
- Sound mixing and editing by Daniel Jordan
- Produced by Megan Kaesshaefer
Photo credit: Notker Mahr
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Sonia Manzano: Shaping a Life Story
March 7th, 2016 | 46 mins 41 secs
Author and actress Sonia Manzano, along with editor Andrea Davis Pinkney, discuss the making of Sonia's coming-of-age memoir, Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South Bronx. Sonia joined the cast of the acclaimed television series Sesame Street in 1971, where she defined the role of "Maria" and went on to write for the show, retiring in 2015 after 44 years. Sonia has won 15 Emmy Awards for her television writing and is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Guests:
- Sonia Manzano, actress (Sesame Street) and writer (The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano, Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South Bronx)
- Andrea Davis Pinkney, VP and Executive Editor, Scholastic Trade Publishing
Special thanks:
- Music composed by Lucas Elliot Eberl
- Sound mixing and editing by Daniel Jordan
- Produced by Megan Kaesshaefer
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Kids on the Campaign Trail
February 26th, 2016 | 25 mins 34 secs
The Scholastic News Kids Press Corps is the country’s oldest and largest student reporting program. This year, our team of young journalists is out on the campaign trail, meeting candidates and covering caucuses, primaries, and debates. In this episode, we talk with two Kid Reporters about their experiences reporting on the election so far. We also hear from Classroom Magazines editorial director Steph Smith about how Scholastic covers the race for the White House for kids, and from middle school teacher Josh Torpey about how he gets students in his Humanities class thinking deeply about the election.
Guests:
- Steph Smith, Editorial Director, Classroom Magazines
- Scholastic Kid Reporters Bobby Sena and Lilian Jochmann
- 7th grade Humanities Teacher Josh Torpey (The Institute for Collaborative Education, New York)
Additional Resources:
- Learn more about The Scholastic News Kids Press Corps and meet our 2016 Kid Reporters here.
- Check out the Scholastic News Election 2016 website.
- Browse articles from Scholastic News here.
- Book recommendations for kids who want to read about the election or presidents and patriotic holidays.
Special thanks:
- Music composed by Lucas Elliot Eberl
- Sound mix and editing by Daniel Jordan
- Produced by Megan Kaesshaefer
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Sharon Robinson: Breaking Barriers
February 17th, 2016 | 39 mins 58 secs
Sharon Robinson, daughter of baseball great Jackie Robinson, joins us to discuss her new book, The Hero Two Doors Down: A Story of Friendship Between a Boy and a Baseball Legend. Plus, we hear from filmmaker Ken Burns about his new documentary, Jackie Robinson, coming this April.
Guests:
- Sharon Robinson
- Ken Burns
Special thanks:
- Music composed by Lucas Elliot Eberl
- Sound mix and editing by Daniel Jordan
- Produced by Megan Kaesshaefer
Additional resources:
- The Breaking Barriers Essay Contest is a chance for diverse students in grade 4–8 to share their personal stories and show how they use Jackie Robinson's values to face their own barriers. Deadline is March 14, 2016.
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The Power of Picture Books
February 8th, 2016 | 38 mins 27 secs
Scholastic editor Liza Baker joins us to talk about Scholastic's new awareness campaign, “The Story Starts Here,” which emphasizes the importance of reading to children from day one. Plus, Stephen Savage (Where’s Walrus and Penguin?) joins us to discuss his work as an award-winning picture book author and illustrator.
Guests:
- Liza Baker, VP/Executive Editorial Director for Cartwheel and Orchard Books at Scholastic
- Stephen Savage, author/illustrator
Special thanks:
- Music composed by Lucas Elliot Eberl
- Sound mix and editing by Daniel Jordan
- Produced by Megan Kaesshaefer
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Book Trends for 2016
January 25th, 2016 | 19 mins 40 secs
What are the big trends in children’s literature for 2016? Look out for superheroes, graphic novels, diverse characters and mythology! Experts David Allender and Preeti Chibberr share their projections for the coming year.
Guests:
- David Allender: Editorial Director, Scholastic Reading Club
- Preeti Chhibber, Senior Editorial Manager, Scholastic Reading Club
Special thanks:
- Music composed by Lucas Elliot Eberl
- Sound mix and editing by Daniel Jordan
- Produced by Megan Kaesshaefer
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Every Child a Super Reader
January 6th, 2016 | 47 mins 1 sec
Literacy experts Pam Allyn and Ernest Morrell join us to talk about their new book, Every Child A Super Reader. The book helps parents and educators develop seven key strengths in young learners, transforming them into “Super Readers”—avid, passionate and critical. Learn more about Every Child a Super Reader at scholastic.com/superreader.
Guests:
- Pam Allyn: Literacy expert, author, and Founding Director of LitWorld
- Ernest Morrell: Macy Professor of English Education and Director, Institute for Urban and Minority Education, Columbia Teachers College; Past President of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)
Special thanks:
- Music composed by Lucas Elliot Eberl
- Sound mix and editing by Daniel Jordan
- Produced by Megan Kaesshaefer
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Kids’ Books Holiday Hotline
December 17th, 2015 | 27 mins 25 secs
Giving the gift of reading isn’t always easy, especially when you have a reluctant reader on your holiday shopping list. Experts David Allender and Preeti Chhibber answer parents’ questions about their trickiest book-buying challenges. Plus, we interview Scholastic employees about what books they’re buying this holiday season and why.
Guests:
- David Allender: Editorial Director, Scholastic Reading Club
- Preeti Chhibber, Senior Editorial Manager, Scholastic Reading Club
Special thanks:
- Music composed by Lucas Elliot Eberl
- Sound mix and editing by Daniel Jordan
- Produced by Megan Kaesshaefer
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The Magic of Harry Potter
December 14th, 2015 | 21 mins 55 secs
What makes the Harry Potter series so special? How did it become the most popular in all of children’s literature? Cheryl Klein talks about her work as continuity editor on the series and shares harrowing stories about keeping the manuscript secret. Literacy expert Pam Allyn, Founding Director of LitWorld, weighs in on how Hogwarts and the lessons Harry Potter teaches us can be valuable for educators.
Guests:
- Cheryl Klein: Executive Editor, Arthur A. Levine Books
- Pam Allyn: Literacy expert, author, and Founding Director of LitWorld
Special thanks:
- Music composed by Lucas Elliot Eberl
- Sound mix and editing by Daniel Jordan
- Produced by Megan Kaesshaefer